This morning, the Akron METRO Regional Transit Authority’s Board of Directors voted to confirm an agreement to pay $200,000 to former Executive Director Richard Enty who was terminated in January of 2018 with two years remaining on an employment contract that guaranteed him an annual salary of $129,243.

Mr. Enty maintained that he was terminated without cause, for political reasons, and that he was thus entitled to payment for the remaining term of his contract. Mr. Enty agreed to release all claims against METRO in exchange for the $200,000 payment.

“While Mr. Enty would have preferred to stay in his position as METRO’s Executive Director, the legal matter has resolved to his satisfaction,” said attorney Peter Pattakos, who represented Mr. Enty in negotiations with METRO.

Mr. Enty issued the following statement:

“I very much enjoyed my tenure at METRO and was honored to work alongside some of the most caring capable and devoted public servants I’ve encountered in my 41 years in the transit industry. They include METRO operators, mechanics, vehicle servicers, building maintainers, call takers, trainers, supervisors, administrative staff, executives, and past and present Board members.

“I also want to acknowledge and thank the individuals with whom I served on the following Boards, for their dedication to public transit and ensuring affordable mobility for those in need: Summit County Social Services Advisory Board, Akron Metropolitan Area Transit Study (AMATS), Downtown Akron Partnership, Ohio Transit Risk Pool, NEORide, Health Transit Pool and the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce. I am especially encouraged by the new and expanded partnerships between METRO, Akron Public Schools, the University of Akron, and Stark State College.

“I hope that the Greater Akron community will continue to regard METRO as a critical resource, and I wish the best to new Executive Director Dawn Distler in continuing to improve service for METRO customers.”